The New Orleans Zephyrs are finally getting their home series with the Round Rock Express. It's just a little later than originally planned.

The two teams were originally schedule to face off last August, but Hurricane Isaac caused a frantic reshuffling of plans after it knocked out the power and damaged Zephyr Field. The Zephyrs were forced to travel to Round Rock right after finishing a nine-game series with Albuquerque and Omaha.

Despite having a shot at the Pacific Coast League championship with eight home games left, the Zephyrs dropped all their games to Round Rock and were forced to cancel their season-ending series with the Iowa Cubs. They finished the season with three wins in their final 13 games.

Zephyrs pitching coach Charlie Corbell said it was one of the most miserable road trips he's ever experienced.

"Last year we fought so hard to keep ourselves in position, to have what happened to us, with the weather and the hurricane putting us back on the road, it was just unfortunate," Corbell said.

The Zephyrs will kick off their home slate with a four-game series with the Express to officially open their 2013 home season. They opened up their season on the road in Tennessee with eight games against Nashville and Memphis.

Zephyrs fans in New Orleans got an early glimpse of the team in an exhibition game against parent team Miami Marlins at Zephyr Field on March 30. The AAA affiliate lost 7-0.

"Getting home is great for us and the Shrine on Airline is a friendly confine that our guys pitch well out of," Corbell said.

Added outfielder Bryan Petersen: "It's a good facility and they do a lot of renovations on it to make it even better. The field plays well and I like it here."

The parent team (1-8 as of Thursday morning) has been in a state of flux after holding a fire sale last November to unload salaries. With an experienced roster (20 of the players have MLB experience), it's likely many of the Zephyrs could make the leap to the big leagues.

"I think the fans will see good product on the field every night," Corbell said. "I think you’ll see these guys in the big leagues if not with Miami, then with someone else. We’ve got a capable crew."

Catcher Kyle Skipworth, 23 and one of the youngest members of the Zepyhrs, already received the call up to the Marlins after first baseman Casey Kotchman was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

But even with the possibility of call-ups, Hassey has made it clear he's not here to develop players. He's here to win.

Hassey, who is in his second year as Zephyrs manager, did just that last year, guiding the club to its first winning record in five season. The team went 73-67 in 2012, finishing third in the league.

"This team is really built for guys that can handle any situation," he said. "Guys can come up and down, and they feel comfortable doing it.

"Our situation it makes it kind of easy and kind of tough to get all these guys playing time. It's not a team that we’re trying to develop. ... The hardest part of the job is making the lineup."

Corbell's pitching staff, which had a league-best 3.96 ERA last season, will return many familiar faces from last year.

Veteran Tom Koehler, the No. 1 pitcher in the lineup, returns for his third season with New Orleans. A Pacific Coast League All-Star in 2012, Koehler is inching his way up the record book. He sits only two strikeouts behind Brian Powell, who holds the franchise record with 266.

Southpaw Brad Hand will return for his second season in New Orleans after logging an 11-7 record in 27 appearances last year. Closer Chris Hatcher also returns for his second season after registering 11 saves and a .077 ERA, a single season franchise record among relievers.

Jacob Turner, a 2009 first-round draft pick by the Detroit Tigers, made limited appearances with the Zephyrs last year. He figures to also be a consistent force in the starting rotation.

"I think we've got a lot of talent," said Turner, 21. "We've got a lot of guys with the motivation to make it to the next level."

Newcomer Doug Mathis (0-0, 2.7 ERA, 3 Ks), who was signed as a free agent in December, likely will get the nod against Round Rock with Mitch Talbot temporarily out. The Express will pitch Randy Wells (0-1, 7.20 ERA).

"This is not a team that has a lot of young and inexperienced players," Hassey said. "I expect a lot out of them and they expect a lot out of themselves."